Triad InRoom PowerSub Review
Adding Triad's InRoom Gold PowerSub completed the sound stage of the MinMonitors
as it provided the remaining
bass that the bookshelf speakers
alone could not produce.
The
Triad InRoom Gold PowerSub implements
a
15" woofer
and
a
250 watt
amplifier in
large square cabinet.
Reverting to the "small" setting for the front
channel
and blending the PowerSub with
a
cutoff frequency of 80-Hz balanced everything out
and created
the
ambiance of
a
much
larger speaker system.
Once I
adjusted the PowerSub volume using my Sound-level Meter, I focused on
setting the phase correctly for the environment of
my
audition.
Triad made this job
much easier by including
avariable phase
adjustment on
the back of the sub.
I connected the PowerSub
two ways, the first being the
"Theater Input"
and the second being the "Left
and Right" inputs.
Left
&
right
channel inputs have volume controls for deep frequency extension,
and the mono "Theater Input" has
a
fixed gain
configured for highest output from 40 to 80 Hz.
If you
plan on using the speaker system for music
and movies, than the "Left
and Right" inputs may be the preferred choice.
Editorial Note
According to Triad, using the LEFT and RIGHT inputs, the response is EQ'ed almost flat to 20 Hz while the THEATER input is down 3 dB @ 35 Hz, and is not usually recommended.
It would have been nice if Triad had included speaker level inputs to appease the 2-channel audiophites who do not prefer or have line level input connectability. If I were to purchase these speakers as a part of a 2-channel analog stereo system I would likely have used the speaker level connections and PowerSubs internal crossover for my configuration.
My only adverse comment about the PowerSub is its overall size when utilized with the MiniMonitors. My feeling is that most people looking to purchase bookshelf speakers are doing it because of the Wife Acceptance Factor or a lack of room for floor standing tower speakers. That being the case, it's hard to justify the presence of a large cabinet PowerSub. But based on the soundstage created by the MiniMonitors and Gold Sub, it may be worth the sacrifice of aesthetics and real-estate in order to achieve sonic Nirvana.
